Police say a North College Hill man is behind bars after two armed robberies at local businesses this spring, one at a neighborhood convenience store and the other at a late-night pancake spot.
Officers allege the suspect walked away with thousands of dollars and a cell phone in separate gunpoint hold-ups at an Ameristop convenience store and an IHOP.
North College Hill police and court filings identify the suspect as 35-year-old Robert Dee Gray. He is booked on two counts of aggravated robbery and one count of aggravated menacing and is being held without bond at the Hamilton County Jail. Gray is scheduled to appear in court at 9 a.m. today, according to FOX19.
Court affidavits state that on June 11 at the Ameristop on West Galbraith Road, Gray allegedly pointed a gun at a cashier's head and chest, pushed the worker, demanded money, and fled with $3,328. Colerain Township police also charged Gray in a May 28 incident at an IHOP on Colerain Avenue, where detectives say he brandished a black firearm and took more than $500 along with the manager's cell phone.
Pattern Of Storefront Crimes Near West Galbraith
The case lands in the middle of a run of break-ins and storefront crimes that have put merchants along West Galbraith Road on edge. During a previous investigation, police circulated surveillance stills and urged business owners and neighbors to review their cameras, according to a prior report on a series of break-ins near West Galbraith Road.
Local business owners have said that increased patrols and timely tips from nearby residents are crucial for catching suspects and keeping small shops from becoming easy targets.
Charges And Penalties Under Ohio Law
Under Ohio law, aggravated robbery is a first-degree felony, and sentencing ranges for first-degree felonies include minimum prison terms that start at three years. Those classifications and ranges come from the Ohio Revised Code, including Section 2911.01, which covers aggravated robbery, and Section 2929.14, which sets out felony sentencing rules.
Aggravated menacing is generally treated as a first-degree misdemeanor, although it can be elevated in certain situations, according to Justia.
How To Help Police
Anyone with information about either robbery is asked to contact the North College Hill Police Department or Colerain Township Police. North College Hill lists its general line as 513-521-7413, and Colerain Township lists its non-emergency line as 513-321-COPS (2677).
For official contact details and additional information, visit the City of North College Hill website and the Colerain Township Police Department page.
